According to local folklore Esther Howland, while a student at Mount Holyoke College in 1847, received an English valentine. This valentine would inspire her to begin selling valentines of her own design. For nearly 100 years Worcester was at the heart of the American valentine industry. Learn more about Worcester’s valentine story and make your own in the style of Esther Howland as Worcester Historical Museum and Crompton Collective partner for a special valentine workshop.